Google appoints Nikki Del Gallego as country lead for YouTube Philippines

share on

twitter /
facebook /
linkedin /
- email
- telegram
- whatsapp
- wechat
- pinterest
- line
- snapchat
- reddit

Google has appointed Nikki Del Gallego (pictured) as country lead for YouTube Philippines, effective 1 January 2026, marking the latest succession in a leadership role that has overseen YouTube’s market strategy across the country.

In her new role, Del Gallego serves as the product expert for YouTube, advising advertisers and agencies on how to connect with audiences through video-first media strategies.

“Serving as the internal and external product expert for ‘All things YouTube’, I will be advising the country’s largest advertisers and agencies on connecting seamlessly with audiences through high-quality, video-centric media plans,” she told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE.

Don't miss: Google PH names Prep Palacios as country manager to lead AI, YouTube Shopping push

Her core mandate centres on driving incremental brand growth by planning and delivering YouTube video solutions aligned with advertisers’ business objectives.

Del Gallego succeeds a line of leaders who held the position sequentially, reflecting YouTube’s evolving market coverage structure in Southeast Asia. The role was previously held by Jolly Estaris (Philippines), Ben Jern Loh (Philippines & Malaysia), and Uyen Le (Philippines & Vietnam).

Del Gallego reports directly to Roopa Dhawan, Google’s industry head, brand solutions for Southeast Asia.

Looking ahead to 2026, Del Gallego outlined three immediate priorities for the role: partner success, ecosystem empowerment, and championing Filipino audiences and creators.

“I am dedicated to driving advertiser growth across a portfolio of customers and partnering with brands to execute impactful marketing campaigns,” she said. “I will prioritise cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders while empowering our partners with the YouTube platform expertise and best practices essential for optimising performance.”

She also highlighted a strong focus on the local creator economy and audience connection: “My goal is to champion the local video ecosystem by ensuring YouTube remains the place where Filipino audiences and brands connect most meaningfully.”

Before taking on the country lead role, Del Gallego was part of Google’s Southeast Asia data and insights team, an experience she said shaped her understanding of audiences, culture, and the platform’s broader influence in the Philippines.

Her appointment underscores Google’s continued emphasis on strengthening YouTube’s role as a central platform for brands, creators, and audiences in the Philippine market as video consumption and creator-led ecosystems continue to grow.

share on